HomeMy WebLinkAbout2018-10-03 Historical Commission Minutes 05F�OP6,
Town of Reading
Meeting Minutes
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Board - Committee - Commission - Council:
Historical commission 9A11 NOV -9 PMOZ
Date: 2018-10-03 Time: 7:00 PM
Building: Reading Town Hall Location: Conference Room
Address: 16 Lowell Street Session: Open Session
Purpose: Public Hearing 79-81 Salem St and Version: Final
General Business -
Attendees: Members - Present:
Jonathan Barnes (JEB) - Chair
Pino D'Orazio (PO) - Associate Member
Sharlene Reynolds Santo (SRS) - Acting Secretary
Jack Williams (JW) - Member
Members - Not Present:
Virginia Adams
Samantha Couture
Amelia Freedman
Ron Weston
Others Present:
Scott Rumley (SR) of HRC Construction
Jean Clark - 185 Lowell St resident
Rufus Clark - 185 Lowell St resident
Chris Collins (CC) - Briggs Property Management Co representative
David Traggorth (DT) - 24 Gould St principal
Minutes Respectfully Submitted By: Sharlene Reynolds Santo
Topics of Discussion:
Called to Order at 7:00 pm in the Conference Room. JEB appointed PO as a voting member.
Demolition Hearing for 79-81 Salem St. JEB called the hearing to order at 7:00 pm.
Full disclosure was made that PO, an RHC member, Is also on the abutter list. Neither PO
nor SR felt that there would be any conflict of Interest. This property went thru the DD
process and was held for 6 months with the previous owner. Four RHC members did tour
the property last week. JEB read the legal notice, the RHC Introduced themselves and
then SR presented the project. JEB presented the historical and architectural significance
of the property. JEB solicited public comment and responded to questions about the
bylaw. Although this proposed reuse will end up being a more conforming structure than
the current house, It remains non-conforming and requires ZBA approval. JEB reminded
SR that any RHC decision would have no bearing or relation to the substantive issues
before the ZBA, and that process was independent of this RHC process. Regarding the
applicant's plans for reuse, JW requested that SR revise the plans he previously
submitted, to show increased trim, column and other exterior details as JW and SR
discussed during the hearing. SRS moved that the presented Information is sufficient to
make a final determination on the requested demolition of the structure at 79-81 Salem
St and that the Public Hearing be closed. JW seconded. Vote 4-0. JEB moved that the
loss of the structure at 79-81 Salem St would be detrimental to the Town under the
purposes of this bylaw (7.2.1) and that a Demolition Delay of up to six (6) months be
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Imposed beginning this date. JW seconded. Vote 4-0. SR thought he could submit
revised plans in advance of the next RHC meeting, and RHC would consider approving an
early release at that time.
8:30 pm — Schoolhouse Condominiums (52 Sanborn St) - CC came to speak about
an Issue they are having with heating vents and was looking for RHC's support allowing
for exterior vents that may need to be added through exterior side walls at the to first
floor, rather than through the roof. With the current HVAC equipment and codes there is
not enough room in between the walls to run all of the heat vent systems up to the roof
as they had In the past. They are asking for RHC support for adding 14 vents through
the first floor Linden and Sanborn St sides; first floor only but could not guarantee that
more vents on other floors may be requested in the future. There previously had been
dryer vents added to the side of the building. The group also discussed whether the deed
restrictions would allow this. JEB moved that in light of structural and code constraints
that the RHC support the management company's request for up to 14 vents through the
side wall on the first floor only; as proposed on the plan presented on 10/3/8, provided
that they consider rectangular shaped vents similar to the brick and further with the
understanding the RHC does not support similar exterior vents on floors 2 - 4. JW
seconded. Vote 4-0. CC will email a copy of the plan to JEB for distribution.
• Demolitions
o 119 Salem St has not yet demolished
• Finances - JEB handed JW receipt for deposit for the sale of At Wood End.
• Minutes - JEB moved to accept minutes of Sept 12, 2018 as amended. Vote 4-0.
• New Business
o MHC Grants - JEB read a letter from MHC regarding their current round of
preservation grants. The RHC briefly discussed Ideas on uses of such a grant.
0 24 Gould St - DT has been working with MHC regarding this project. JEB has
reached out to MHC to discuss some questions concerning a draft memorandum
of agreement from MHC, for which MHC seeks RHC's concurrence. RHC discussed
the Memorandum of Agreement with DT and proposed some revisions. As no
demolition delay application has been filed yet and where DT, RHC and MHC are
presently deliberating towards an agreed upon outcome regarding DT's proposed
project for the site, RHC weighed the pros and cons of releasing a demolition
delay Immediately if Imposed or other alternative dispositions at a future DO
hearing. JEB and DT will continue to talk to try to reach consensus regarding the
MHC MOA revisions, In order for both parties to follow up with MHC. DT will apply
for a Demolition Delay permit in the near future to meet his goal of demolishing in
January.
o Discover the Arts - Discussed the event scheduled for October 13`h on Reading
Common.
• Next Meeting will be held on November 7, 2018
• Meeting Adjourned at 10:20 pm
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